“The boy hasn’t made any threats since then?”

“Not to me.”

“And his work has been satisfactory?”

“Yes.” Ernest Todd was grudging. “I’ve had no complaint about his work.”

Savage stood up, walked over to the window. It was not a signal that he wanted to go, he just needed to move. He felt no constraint. It was as if he were in a friend’s house. They were all aware of him. Even though he was not speaking, he was still the centre of attention. They were all quiet, waiting for him. He turned to face them.

“I’d like to talk to your father. Do you think that he’d be willing to see me this evening?”

“Oh, I don’t think that would be wise,” Helen said quickly. “As I explained, he’s a very old man.”

“Goes to bed early does he?” Savage said. “Doesn’t matter. We can call first thing in the morning.”

Ernest laughed. It was a deep throaty chuckle and ended in a cough.

“It’s no good, Helen. They’ll see him some time. One of Superintendent Savage’s men talked to Father this morning. You’re better going this evening, Superintendent. He doesn’t go to bed early, but he does lie in until mid-morning. It’s become a habit of Helen’s to prevent our acquaintances from meeting my father. She thinks that he’s vulgar.”

“Nonsense,” she said, dismissing him, refusing even to be offended by him. “I’m concerned for your father’s health. But if you think that he’s fit to see the police, of course you must go, Superintendent. Would you like me to telephone to tell them that you’ll be visiting?”

“That would be very kind,” he? said, walking towards her, overwhelming in his gratitude.

Connibear, who had said nothing and had been ignored by both Todds, stood up, and this was a sign that they should leave. Now that the interview was reaching its end, Todd and his wife were gracious. They apologized for not having offered food and drink and stated that of course if they could help at all in the future, Savage should not hesitate to be in touch.

Then they were outside in the dark. The wind had changed to the west and was damp and sweet, and smelled of the wet leaves, and salt. Connibear felt very excited and alive. He was exhilarated by Savage’s driving, by the feeling that they were moving, forward, physically and in the task which they were performing.

Albert was thrilled to learn that the superintendent wanted to see him. Elsie took the telephone call. Laurence was in the attic with his model railway. She went to tell him first. He listened to her carefully: he knew that it must be important for her to disturb him when he was in the attic. Carefully he switched off the power, put away the engines and followed her downstairs. Albert was watching a western on the television. He was a little deaf and the sound was turned up loud.

“You mustn’t be upset, dear,” she said when she got his attention. “Helen’s just phoned up. Superintendent Savage has just been to see her and Ernie. He’s in charge of the case, you know. In charge of the murder inquiry. He’s on his way here. He wants to talk to you.”